Barney Robison Blog

LONDON — Worldwide mobile phone sales hit $115.5

billion in 2006, and WiFi phone sales topped $535 million, up 13% and

327% from 2005, respectively, says analyst firm Infonetics Research

in its Mobile and WiFi Phones and Subscribers report.

As prices continue to drop, demand will continue to grow for both

mobile and WiFi VoIP phones in 2007. Worldwide, shipments of mobile

handsets jumped 27% between 2005 and 2006, and single- and dual-mode

WiFi handsets together jumped 489%. For the 4-year period between

2007 and 2010, shipments for mobile handsets are forecast to increase

26%, and WiFi handsets are forecast to increase nearly 1300%.

The fastest growing segment in the market by far is the dual-mode

WiFi/cellular VoIP phone, with worldwide units shipping at a

phenomenal rate: Infonetics forecasts a 5-year compound annual growth

rate of 198% between 2006 and 2010.

“Users are Read more

SILVERTHORNE, Colo. — Following the successful completion of the first IMS PlugfestT in January, 2007, the IMS Forum is announcing the second IMS Plugfest scheduled for June 4–8th at the IMS Forum UNH InterOp Lab (IOL) in Durham, New Hampshire. The second IMS Plugfest will test interoperability for IMS voice, VoIP and Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC) services including IP PBX functionality, features management, billing and operational testing.

This IMS Plugfest is the second of a series of testing events open to Forum members and non members that will run through 2008. IMS Plugfests examine the interoperability of IMS “Quadruple Play” applications and services under real-world conditions.

The

extended program will also establish an industry certification to identify products and services as having achieved interoperability for voice, video, and mobility across multiple wireline, wireless, and cable broadband networks.

“The Read more

TORONTO — NewStep Networks, Inc., the market and technology leader in convergence solutions for service providers and enterprises, today announced that British Telecommunications plc (BT) is rolling out premise-based, fixed-mobile convergence services using NewStep Networks’ CSN30, a Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC) solution designed for service providers’ enterprise customers.

The CSN30 offers an FMC solution with a wide array of advanced features in a compact, industry-standard platform that is ideal for enterprises with large numbers of mobile workers.

NewStep Networks’ CSN30 platform supports BT’s Corporate Fusion – site (a premise based service), which combines Wi-Fi, cellular, corporate directories and PBX functionality, to offer a converged service for large corporations. BT is currently trialing the platform with a large local government organisation in the U.K., and will shortly announce further trials in the UK and Europe. Read more

MILPITAS, Calif. — Kineto Wireless, Inc.,

the key innovator and leading supplier of Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA)

technology, today announced that BenQ has selected Kineto’s industry-leading

UMA client software for inclusion on a number of upcoming UMA-enabled

dual-mode handsets. The BenQ handsets to feature the Kineto UMA client

include an open OS smart phone and a feature phone available later in 2007.

“BenQ is pleased to be working with the UMA technology leader on our new

UMA-enabled handsets,” said Dr. Irwin Chen, senior vice president and

general manager, Mobile Communication Business Group

(MCG) of BenQ. “Kineto’s proven UMA client software and superior engineering

support are helping BenQ accelerate our UMA products to market in order to

meet the growing need for UMA handsets from our important operator

customers.”

With UMA client Read more

UTRECHT, The Netherlands — 24access Solutions B.V., a provider of solutions that enable a two way connection between a PC and a mobile device, announced today that it has closed a Series A round of financing, led by Big Bang Ventures and Solid Ventures, with the participation of some high profile private investors. 24access will use the funds to accelerate its market penetration and international expansion.

24access’s solutions give consumers complete freedom to access any content from any mobile handset through any provider. In particular, the system has been designed to allow consumers to access any content stored on their PC, such as photos, audio and video. In addition, consumers can even access streaming content on their mobile phone such as webcams, live radio and television via their PC.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, 24access will use the funds to expand its international presence and to further develop its channel partners including mobile Read more